Lost My Car keys lost? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how to replace lost car key well organized you are. It's important to be prepared for this situation.

You should call a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on the vehicle. These experts can design a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can make your day miserable, cause an anxiety-filled day and can even result in unwanted phone calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that happens to everyone, regardless of how organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). However, the situation can often be much more serious. If you lose your keys, it is important to remain calm and retrace the steps.

Keep in mind that many things aren't lost my car key forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it is a good idea for you to retrace and search your steps. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to help you search for you, as a second pair eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in the usual places, such as key hooks, search for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets you've worn or used recently. If you lost them in the store, talk to others who are customers or employees to see if they noticed anything unusual.

Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may seem like common sense, but you should take the time to do it with care. Clean your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Examine every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycle bins in case keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something other.

It could be beneficial to go through your steps again and look for places you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost when we look for something but we forget about it. then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tiring day and are eager to go home, change into your comfortable sweats, have some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You realize that your car keys are missing.

Examine desks and pockets that are overly cluttered. It's also common to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot like on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've thoroughly checked those areas.

Another popular hiding place is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys there ensure that you can easily open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You could also consider hiding your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly as you may accidentally crush them when you shut the door.

4. Call the Police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a bit distracted. You might be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys on the seat, or you might just require two hands free to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to every person.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. This way, you can file a report and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is particularly crucial if your keys get lost outside your home or at the store or in a public place.

Before you begin, be sure to go back to your steps. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the last time you observed them. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is another excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from using it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key, it's always a good idea to make copies of it in case something similar occurs again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a rush. There are a few things you can do to help.

Retrace your steps and searching the places you think you might have abandoned them. If you're unable to locate them, try checking in the car itself. It's not common for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Lastly, call locksmiths to see if they can help you find the keys you lost. They may be able cut you a new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They also have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. You can use your car's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which could take a few days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you're unable to locate your car keys and it can put a major impact on your day. It could be that you were running a quick task and left them on the seat or maybe you put your keys down for a second to grab something but lost the track of it.

Reporting a lost key or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will result in a paper record and help prevent other people from using your car without permission. It also stops you from being fined.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might cover them since they're considered personal property. However, it's still best to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered before filing an insurance claim.

Consider keeping an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the numerous other options available. This will prevent you from going through the hassle of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least expect it. You might be running a quick errand, and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long day at work and forget where you put them.

Luckily, there are ways to stop this from happening again in the future. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app on the phone. When you launch the app, it will ring or flash to help locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other users to help you locate them if your keys are not in range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by always putting them in the same spot each time you get home. It doesn't matter if put them in an table in the entryway or on a hook by the door. Making this a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company immediately when you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. That way you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you already have a standard (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.

For cars that are more modern and have an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more difficult. You'll likely need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. Depending on the model and make of your car this could cost upwards of $200.

To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, especially in the areas where you lose things.